Nobel Prize recipient William Saroyan proclaimed, “The bicycle is the noblest invention of mankind.” Bristol Myers Squibb, its global C2C4C bike ride for cancer research and its worldwide impact reaffirms that statement.
In 2024, more than 300 employees representing 30 nations traversed 6,200 miles in one of the four C2C4C rides in Europe, the United States, Japan and Latin America.
And, as Bristol Myers Squibb employees cycled recently in the Continent 2 Continent 4 Cancer (C2C4C) Latin America ride finishing in Chile, it marks the culmination of a record setting 11th year for C2C4C.
Our employees and their bicycles covered trails, streets and highways across the globe in a wide variety of locations including Bend, Oregon; Boudry, Switzerland; Tokyo Bay, Japan; and Puerto Varas, Chile. They cycled with cancer patients including family, friends and colleagues top of mind bringing to life BMS’ commitment to a patient-centric culture that goes well beyond day-today job responsibilities.
Beyond just relevant information about Bristol Myers Squibb's therapeutic areas and innovation, Our stories offer a window into the work our employees do every day for patients.
“Completing a C2C4C segment is a tremendous accomplishment and it’s not just the ride itself, but all the preparation that goes into it. Over a five-month period, our global riders spend roughly 100 hours training – often over challenging terrain including training before and after work and on the weekends. That’s a lot of personal time away from family and friends, but every mile they cover is a symbol of hope and resilience for patients fighting cancer,” said Adam Lenkowsky, executive vice president, chief commercialization officer. “C2C4C brings to life our company’s mission to transform patients’ lives through science. It reflects a culture where everyone brings their own stories and their own strengths together to push each other and lift each other up in pursuit of a higher goal.”
Together, the riders and Bristol Myers Squibb, raised and donated more than $2.2 million (USD) in 2024 to advance cancer research worldwide via cancer research charities including the V Foundation for Cancer Research, CancerNet Japan and the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and its Europe and Latin America cancer organizations. To date, the C2C4C rides have generated nearly $19 million for cancer research worldwide in 11 years.
“Everyone on the C2C4C ride has been touched by cancer. I rode to honor my husband Gerry who died at 47 from cancer last year,” said Laura Foran, senior therapeutic area specialist in oncology from Kutztown, Pennsylvania. “He was my best friend, travel buddy and love of my life. While research has come so far, I am proud to have raised money for additional cutting-edge research for cancer patients with my fellow Bristol Myers Squibb employees.”
Additionally, more than 1,500 Bristol Myers Squibb employees across 342 teams participated in a virtual C2C4C Challenge and recorded more than 395 million steps and 197,696 miles.
C2C4C returns for its 12th year in 2025. The 2025 C2C4C ride dates are Europe (September 5-22), United States (September 5-October 1), Japan (October 1-15) and Latin America (December 1-9).
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. As global citizens, we work sustainably and responsibly to create a positive impact in the communities where we live and work.
